Railway-gate.



Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

2 SHEETS SHEET l-- INVENTOR fi'azakzgrazzf N. on 3. NM m WA 770M518 I F. A. GRANT.

RAILWAY GATE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. 1915.

F. 1. GRANT. RAILWAY GATE. -APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. H6.

Patentd 001. 31, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Anon/ms R NKA. GRANT, or con'rnimn, new YORK.

RAi wAY-GATE;

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented cij gL jl lfi' Application filed I'm so, 1916. Serial No. 106,866.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FRANK A. GRANT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cortland, in the county of Cortland and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Gates, of which the following is a specification. V

My invention relates street crossings of railways, and the mainobject thereof is to provide means operable by;

an approaching train, from either direction, for closing the gates at such crossings and, after passing the gates, for insuring their return to open positions. 7

My invention is fully described in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which like characters refer to like parts in each of the views, and in which f Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a single trackrailway provided with my invention at a crossing; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary,

edge view thereof,

enlarged, view thereof, partly in section; Fig.3 is an enlarged section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on theline 4-4 of Fig. 2, with the parts in normal positions; Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is .a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the parts in alternate positions; Fig. 7 is a sectional view ofthe gate carrying box, provided with my inventionshown diagrammatically therein; and Fig. 8 is an showing the arms of the gate and the counterweights thereon.

'My invention is designed for installation adjacent'the' rails 9 of a railway, and comprises a plurality of laterally movable triprails 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, arranged adjacent each crossing when said crossings are distant from eachother, although the gates at a plurality of adjacent crossings could be operated by one apparatus, instead of a separate apparatus-for each. H 1

By reference to Fig. 2, which is an enlarged view of the railway to the left of the crossing indicated at 16.Fig. 1, it will be seen that the trip-rails 10 and 11 overlap, whereby the flanges on the former, the ends of yall of the trip-rails being curved inwardly of the track, and all ofsaid trip-rails-being carried in suitable bearingsl? of such construction as to yieldto the protection of the line 5-5 of I the wheels of a rail way carwill force both of said trip-rails g away from the respective rail 9 in passingingly force the trip-rails against therespec tlve ra1l 9, this not being shown in detail, as 7 many forms couldbe conceived by any me 5 chanic it being understood that thetrip-rails bear d rectly upon the adjacent rail 9.

Between the rails 9, at each side of the crossing and at. adesired distance there- 7? from, is a box 18 within which is a hori- 'zontally movable arm 19 pivoted-at 20 and connected with the trip-rail 10 by means of a link 21, the free end of this, arm carrying a contact 22 with which is connected an electrical conductor 23, a second contact 24 within the box 18 being connected to a sup-- plemental conductor 25,both of which con ductors lead to the gate-box 26.

Pivoted a 27, within the box 18,115 a lever 28 one end of which carries a weight 29 to normallymaintain the opposite end. in raised position, this free end being adapt! ed to be depressed by means of a bell-crank 30 connected withthe trip-rail 11 bymeans of a link 31, and the lever 28 is provided with a-conducting element 32 arranged -between the contacts 22 and 24. When the trip-rail 10 is moved inwardly of the track the arm 19 swingsagainstthe element 32 of the lever 28 and forces the same against the'contact 24 to form an electrical connec I tion between the contacts 22 and 24. When the trip-rail 11 is. moved inwardly of the track the bell-crank 30 depresses the free end of the lever 28 and carries the element 32 beneath the level of the contacts 22 and 24, thus preventing an-electrical connection thereof when the arm 19 is swung inwardly toward the latter 19 is soswung and the lever 28 so depressed, the former acts as a temporarylock'to prewheels have passed'beyond thetrip-rail 11, from right to left; this is an important feature of the apparatus and will be later explained in the operation. 7 p 7 The trip-railj14 is carried by a conductive plunger 33 with which is connected an elec contact, and when the arm.

ventrthe rising of the former when the car trical conductor 34,. a supplemental conductor 35 being connected with a contact '36 in the path of movement of .the'plun'ger 33, and the conductors 34 and 35 pass to the ate-b01126. I The'apparatus just described is duplicated at the other side of the crossing, with the single difference that the trip-rails 10 and 1-1 are reversed and the trip-rails 12 and 13 correspond thereto, the connections thereof which the arms 38 of the gate are secured and which shaft carries a segment-gear 39 I within the box 26 enmeshed with a pinion 40 on the shaft 41 of an electric motor 42,

one pole of said motor being connected with V a source of electrical energy 43 by means of a conductor 44 and the other pole being I connected with a contact 45 by means of a conductor 46, 7. The conductor 23 is connected with the source of energy 43 and the conductor 25 is connected with an electro-magnet 47 which carries a bell-crank armature 48 in electrical connection with the battery 43 by means of a conductor 49, as is also the magnet 47 by means of a conductor 50. ,The armature 48 is adapted to connect with the contact 45 and with two other contacts 51 and 52 simultaneously, the former of which is connected with one terminal'of a bell 53 by means of a conductor 54 and the latter of which is connected with one side of a solenoid 55 by means of a conductor 56 and to which solenoid the conductor 34 is also connected. The bell 53 is connected with the battery 43 by means of a conductor 57 and the conductor 35 is connected with the conductor 57 and thus to the battery. The armature 48 is adapted to be locked in attracted position by means of an armature 58 of the solenoid 55, the arm 59 thereof being lighter than the armature end whereby, when the armature48 is attracted by its magnet, the arm 59 will rise and hold the armature 48 in such position with the outer arm 60 thereof bearing against all the contacts 45, 51, and 52; when the solenoid is energized the armature 58 will be attracted thereby and move the arm 59 out of-the path of the armature 48 and the electrical connection of the arm 60 with the contacts .45, 51, and 52, will be broken. lit will benoted that, when the armature 48 is in normal position, the armature 58 is locked against movement by the former.

hen a car approaches the crossing from the left of Fig. 1 the trip-rail 14 is moved inwardly of the track but energizing the solenoid 55 has no effect on the armature 58 which is already in the attracted position. When the trip-rail '10 is moved inwardly the contact 22 makes an electrical connection with the contact 24 through the, conductive element 32 and an electrical circuit is closed through the conductors 23 .and 25, battery 43, and magnet 47 and the arma ture 48 is rocked and makes electrical connection with the contacts 45, 51, and 52, the armature 58 meanwhile being released and moving into locking position of the armature 48 because of the heavier inner end.

This completes an electrical circuit through the motor 42, conductor 46, contact 45, arma ture arm 60, conductor 49, battery 43, and conductor 44, and the motor is energized and swings the'normally vertical arms 38 into horizontal positions, against the weight of the counterweights 61, these arms being joined to form the gate. Another circuit is closed through the bell 53, conductor 54, contact 51, armature arm 60, conductor 49, battery 43, and conductor 57, thus sounding an alarmat the instant of motor actua tion. The car wheels now pass from the trip-rail 10 to the trip-rail 11 and forces the latter inwardly of the track. This actuates the bell-crank 30 and depresses the lever 28 and moves the element 32 from between the contacts 22 and 24, the former contact meanwhile having been moved to normal position when the trip-rail 1O resumed its normal position, but no other result follows the movement of the trip-rail 11. The motor still being energized, the gate remains in lowered position after the car passes the trip-rail 11 and until the crossing has been passed and the apparatus on the farther side thereof is reached. When the car wheels reach the trip-rail 13, corresponding to the triprail 11, the bell-crank thereof depresses the lever 28 thereof to move the conductive element 32 thereof below the contacts and 24 thereof, these not being shown in detail as they are identical with those already described, and no further result oc curs. When the car wheels move the triprail 12 inwardly, corresponding to the trip rail 10, the arm 1.9 thereof is swung on its pivot but not far enough to carry the contact 22 thereof to the contact 24 thereof, and nothing occurs. WVhen the car wheels reach the trip-rail 15 the plunger 33 thereof is earned to the contact 36 and an electrlcal circuit is closed through the conductors 34 and 35, solenoid 55, conductor 56, contact armature arm 60, conductor 49, battery 43, and conductor 57, and the solenoid is energized and draws up the armature 58 and thus moves the arm 59 thereof beneath the armature 48 to permit the latter to resume its normal position, the magnet 47 be ing no longer energized, and the armature arm 60 moves away from the contacts 45, 51,

and 52, and all the circuits therethrough are broken. The motor being no longer energized, the counterweights 61 carry the gate arms 38 into normal vertical position, and the gate is open.

If a car is approaching the crossing from the right hand side of the drawing in Fig. 1, the trip-rail 15 is moved inwardly without result, the trip-rail 12 corresponding to the trip-rail 10 already described is moved to move its arm 19 to close a circuit through the contacts 22 and 24 and theelement 32 thereof and through the electro-magnet 47 to cause the bell to ring and the gate to close. The rest of the operation from this 1 side is identical with that already described, and when the trip-rail 14 is reached the solenoid 55 is energized to deenergize the motor and bell, whereupon the gate again opens.

It will thus be seen that the entire operation is entirely automatic, both in setting and releasing, and my apparatus may be employed upon a single track railway as shown, or upon a plurality of tracks, and I may connect my apparatus with an electric system already existing on a railway, or provide a source of electrical energy, as shown.

My invention is very simple though highly eflicient, requires but little room, is not obstructing, is not likely to get out of order nor affected by climatic conditions, and the cost of manufacture and installation is comparatively small. 1

While I have shown a present preferred form of arrangement, I do not desire to limit myself thereto, and I reserve the right to make desired changes to meet varying conditions, provided that such changes come within the spirit of my invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a gate, a motor for closing the same, counterweights for opening the same, means including a laterally movable trip-rail in the path of an approaching car for en ergizing said motor to close said gate, means including a second laterally movable triprail for rendering said last named means inoperative, and means including a third laterally movable trip-rail for deenergizing 40 said motor to allow said counterweights to open said gate.

2. In an apparatus of the class described,

a gate, a motor for closing the same, counterweights for opening the same, means ineluding a laterally movable trip-rail and a circuit-closer for energizing said motor to close the gate, means including a second 7 laterally movable trip-rail ,proaching car,

and acircuitbreaker for rendering said last named means inoperative, and means including a third laterally movable trip-rail for deenergizing said motor to allow said counterweights to open said gate.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a gate, a motor for closing the same, counterweights for opening the same, a-laterally movable rail in the path of an approaching car, a contact arm connected therewith, an

electrical conductor connected with said" contact, a supplemental contact, a supplemental electrical with, an element of conductive material interposed between said contacts and adapted to connect the same, a supplemental laterally movable trip-rail, and means connecting said last named rail and said conductive element for moving the same from between said contacts to prevent connection therebetween, the closing of an electrical circuit through said contacts and elements energizing said motor.

4. In an apparatus of the class descrlbed, a gate, a motor for closing'the same, counterweights for opening the same, a laterally movable trip-rail in the path of an apa circuit-closers operable thereby, an electro-magnet adapted to be energized when said trip-rail is moved by a car, an armature on said magnet, a circuitcloser on said armature, means for locking conductor connected theresaid armature in circuit closing position, a

supplemental lateraly' movable trip-rail, means operable thereby for releasing said armature lock, an alarm adapted to be actu. ated when said armature is in circuit closing position, said motor and armature circuit-closer.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to thi'sspecification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' FRANK A. GRANT.

Witnesses:

H. J HARRINGTON, R. EARLE KLOTTEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, .D. G.

and an electrical circuit through 

